Finding existing space in your home to repurpose, convert into living space or reconfigure may take some creativity. We started our series on creatively remodeling existing space by discussing attic conversions. This week we are going to consider converting the
Renovation Solutions: Basements can be remodeled, no matter how scary
For the past few weeks, we have been discussing how to creatively use or repurpose existing space in your home. Whether it be the attic or your garage, there may be space within your home just waiting to be used.
Renovation Solutions: Find more space in the attic to enhance your house
Space is like the wind: You can’t see it, but you can feel it. People tend to look at the space in a home in terms of quantity — either there is too much space or, more likely, not enough.
Exterior remodels continued: Gutters
Ah, autumn. ’Tis the season for pumpkin shakes, cozy sweaters, the first fire of the season, and — oh, yeah — raking leaves and cleaning out your gutters. No one likes climbing on the roof to clean out the leaves
Remodeling for curb appeal
A lot of our clients come to us with requests for more curb appeal. Even if the remodel is staying within the home’s original footprint, many clients want to see what they can do to enhance their home’s exterior. Exterior
Remodel to better multitask your space
Remodeling doesn’t have to mean expensive additions; it can be more about creatively using the space you have. Multitasking rooms is a great way to use your existing space to its full potential. How do you multitask rooms? Well, you
Renovation Solutions: Roofing material choice impacts a remodel
Everyone has seen a bad remodel. You’ve seen the house where the new addition looks like a big shed bumped up against the house, or the second story that looks as if it could have fallen from space and just
Renovation Solutions: Laundry made easier with redesign
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Does it seem like your laundry piles are more like mountains than molehills? Is getting family members to pitch in and do laundry harder than getting out grape juice stains? If so, it
Renovation Solutions: As school nears, it may be time to remodel kids’ bedrooms
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer For a child’s bedroom remodel, consider the lighting, shelving and bed choices carefully. Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Solutions Summer is winding down, and it is almost time to send those little darlings back
Renovation Solutions: Quick makeover for your home
Even small changes to your house (a quick off-the-street makeover) can make your home more beautiful. Often when you work to create or uncover extra space and functionality in your home, you will find more beauty, too. What makes
Renovation Solutions: Liven up your home with color
The sea of ivory-colored homes with white walls and beige carpet is evidence that people are generally afraid of color. But really they shouldn’t be — at least not for architecture’s sake. The soothing and relaxing tones in this room
Carefully consider design for bathroom remodel
Clearly, if you survive the stress and strain of a home remodeling project, the results should enhance your life. Your home should be easier to live in. A bathroom addition or remodel is a project that will have a definite
Renovation Solutions: Well-detailed remodeling project will pay off
Architect Mies van der Rohe said, “God is in the details.” Others have said, “The devil is in the details.” We suppose it’s all in the perspective. Certainly when it comes to a home renovation, you can feel very inspired
Renovation Solutions: Remodeling opens up possibilities
With the Fourth of July, we’ve got freedom on our minds. A very different kind of freedom is found in the process of remodeling when clients become aware that there are many options available to address their particular issues. For
The question: Remodel or move?
By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News If there is something about your location like a great view that would be hard to duplicate, then remodeling may be the right solution for you. Deciding to remodel
Renovation Solutions: How to solve common remodeling problems
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Adding more curb appeal to a house is one of the top client requests when they are considering a remodel. While some issues of deferred maintenance need to be addressed on a practical
Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your project
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer This entry remodel shows the dramatic impact a remodel can have on a house with the help of a well-selected group of professionals. (Annie Schwemmer, Renovation Design Group) Many of our clients come
Kitchens serve as the life of the family, home
By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News We recently heard a statement from a woman who was planning a new custom home, and something she said resonated with us: “The kitchen to me is the life of
Renovating the mother-in-law suite
By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News Thinking of moms recently, this week we will discuss a mother-inspired renovation: the mother-in-law suite. The number of multi-generational households is growing in the U.S. The Census Bureau says they
Tips for surviving home remodeling
By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News “Renovating is an intense personal experience shared with large numbers of total strangers — not much different than surviving a plane crash.” — an anonymous homeowner Even with the grim
Remodeling for seismic upgrades
Last time we introduced you to Bob and Char Nelson’s remodeled 1927 Tudor-style home in the Harvard-Yale area of Salt Lake City. The remodel stayed within the floor plan of the historic home and was initially focused on energy efficiency
Remodeling for energy efficiency
When Bob and Char Nelson relocated from Provo to the Harvard-Yale area in Salt Lake City, they knew it was only a matter of time before they would remodel their new, old house. Right after they moved in, they finished
Outdoor kitchens are gaining popularity
People enjoy a good old-fashioned barbecue. On a beautiful sunny day, people just love to cook and eat outside. For some reason, food cooked outside just tastes better. It might have something to do with the mouth-watering scent filling the
Renovation Solutions: Planning the details of your patio design
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Last week we discussed planning a patio remodel. Now that the basics of function, location and size are out of the way, it’s time to talk about details. The more attention you
Time to plan the patio project
By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News We are sure your spring project priority list is filling up fast. No doubt many of your lists include some overhaul to or addition of an outdoor space. Though Mother
Tricks to front porch additions
If you follow this column, you know that for the past month we have been covering house styles. We broke down the history, traditional elements, remodeling challenges and solutions for the Craftsman Bungalow, the Tudor Revival, the Cape Cod and
Remodeling the California Ranch
For the past few weeks we have been discussing home styles in our column. Last we talked about the challenges and solutions in remodeling the Cape Cod-style house. This week we are focusing on another favorite house style from the
Ways to enhance your Cape Cod-style home
Understanding the history, style and architecture of your home — and the other homes in your neighborhood — is crucial in designing an addition or renovation. Ignore this principle, and you’ll end up spending a lot of money to decrease
Renovation Solutions: Dealing with the challenges of remodeling Tudor style homes
Several predominant home styles have evolved over the past century in the United States. You’ve seen them as you drive the streets of Salt Lake City’s classic neighborhoods: the fairy-tale Tudor revival, the classic craftsman bungalow, the charming Cape Cod
Homeowners dodge awkward basement remodel
Finishing the basement may not be a project that most people think would need an architect. Whether or not there is a “need” depends on a variety of factors. once dreaded, partially finished space in the house is now a
10 years later, architects reflect on their story
Annie V. Schwemmer, Jared Bulloch, and Ann Robinson reflect back on the beginning of Renovation Design Group as they celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year. Daniel Barton, Renovation Design Group The year 2013 marks the 10-year anniversary of Renovation
Renovation Solutions: Design tips: Remodeling your basement can lead to wonderful, usable spaces downstairs
Finishing your basement is a less-expensive and less-invasive alternative to a home addition, and it does not eat up yard space. With good architectural design, even shelf basements with low ceilings and small windows, or basements that have already been
Holiday season tests your home the most and sparks remodeling discussions
The holiday season is often the busiest time of year for gatherings, so it is also the time when your home’s capacity and functionality are tested the most. This is when you learn (or remember) you really could use that
Renovation Solutions: The problem of asbestos in home remodels
We recently had a reader ask us to highlight the problem of asbestos in private residences, so this is our topic of the week. Asbestos abatement workers contain the area and must where respirators to protect themselves from the harmful
Renovation Solutions: Adding insulation will combat high heating bills
The weather is getting colder and the energy bill is getting higher. If your heating bill is through the roof, then that may be exactly where your heat is escaping — through your roof and walls. There were three different
New countertops are quick, painless upgrade
Here’s a quick and easy way to upgrade your home: Install new countertops. Installing new countertops does not require moving walls, making structural changes or imposing drastic disruptions to your life. The actual disruption can be limited to just one
Built-in seating gets you more out of your kitchen
Last week, we started our kitchen remodeling series in honor of Thanksgiving — the holiday with the most time spent in the kitchen. Beyond Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings, modern families are actually spending more time in general in the
Renovation Solutions: Carving out a better kitchen
It is hard to believe it is already November. Now that the election is over, everyone can all start thinking about the next big event in November: Thanksgiving. With its focus of a wonderful, home-cooked meal, there is no doubt
Creative storage space ideas
More storage space is one of the top needs on our clients’ lists. What we help clients realize is that storage doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of a closet. There are many ways to creatively add storage
Renovation Solutions: An architect’s tale of the Frankenhouses
In honor of this ghoulish holiday, we want to resurrect a favorite scary tale: “The Story of the Frankenhouses.” Spooky decorations may add some Halloween flare to this recently remodeled porch, but nothing is scarier than An Architect’s Tale of